What does the dependency ratio measure?

The dependency ratio measures the relationship between the working-age population and those who are generally not in the labor force, which includes both the young (often defined as those under 15) and the elderly (usually those over 65). This ratio provides insight into the economic pressure on the productive population, as a high dependency ratio means that a relatively smaller working-age population must support a larger group that is typically not part of the workforce, including children and retirees.

The dependency ratio is particularly valuable in understanding demographic trends and economic conditions within a region. A higher dependency ratio might indicate more pressure on social services and a greater burden on those who are working, while a lower ratio could suggest a more favorable situation where a larger proportion of the population is able to contribute to the economy.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the definition of the dependency ratio. Specifically, the ratio of urban to rural population pertains to migration and settlement patterns, the ratio of elderly to youth focuses solely on the age demographic without considering the broader labor impact, and the ratio of birth rates to death rates involves vital statistics rather than dependency dynamics.